Custom Paper Art for All Occasions

Altered File Folder

Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge #16: Altered File Folder

This is my second post for the day. If you are looking for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge, please scroll down, or click HERE.

Hello, Friends! There’s a brand spankin’ new challenge up at Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge Blog, and it promises to be loads of fun. Challenge #16 is all about using office and/or school supplies in your project, so I dug around in my studio and found an old file folder and some coin envelopes and proceeded to create today’s altered file folder as my inspiration piece. Before I share all the photos with you, here are the official details for this challenge and a little bit about our wonderful sponsors.

The wonderful folks at Heartfelt Creations and the very generous Sandy Redburn of Crafty Secrets have both sponsored the design team again for this challenge. Be sure to visit their online stores and blogs by clicking on the links above. We have all thoroughly enjoyed working with their gorgeous products!

Lindy’s Stamp Gang is the creative” baby” of Lindy Plakinger. She passed away in 2008 after bravely battling illness. She was a self-made cartoonist, loved drawing, crafting, designing new products, and creating her funny cartoon characters! One of her greatest joys was traveling to stamping and scrapbooking conventions across the US, demo-ing to her heart’s content with her sister, and giggle partner, Vicki!

Lindy’s Stamp Gang will continue, as was her hope, and dream. Her husband and daughter have taken over the company keeping her creativity alive. Tracey, (her daughter), has always been a “jar filler” in the background of Lindy’s Stamp Gang, but is now trying to fill some incredible shoes!

Altered File Folder for CHACB Challenge #16: Office Supplies

I took a standard sized manila file folderand cut it down to measure just 4 3/4″ wide. The great thing about working with these folders is that they are very sturdy, and took all the abuse I heaped onto them. I played around with scoring and creasing until I had everything just the way I wanted it. Then I traced around the file folder and stitched my papers to the front.

I printed out Crafty Secrets gorgeous Gold Damask paper from the Digital Halloween Papers download and then stamped it using Ranger Sepia Archival Ink and Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower Background. The flowers were cut with the matching Classic Sunflower Die and then shaped and stacked. I brushed the tips with Fired Brick Distress Ink and then filled the centers with glass beads.

I used velcro dots as my closure device. Here you can see the placement, as well as how I folded the flap back on the left hand side of the folder. The shaped flap on the right is one of the punch out pieces from the French Country paper collection. This was taken before the flowers were added.

The folder opens out to reveal a collaged sunflower scene and three coin envelopes that I altered and filled with little tags.

Layering all these beautiful elements required some fussy cutting, but it sure was fun. I love the metal crown in the lower right hand corner.

This is the back side of the folder. You can see my messy stitching. My machine did NOT like stitching through heavy cardstock and a manila file folder, but with a little gently coaxing, it finished the job.

I made a matching alligator clip for the folder, but I’m not sure I like it. What do you think?

Here are the links to the rest of my fellow hoarders blogs. Be sure to visit them and leave them some love. I know you will be inspired by their creations, and your wheels will start turning!

Challenge #16 Who loves school and office supplies?

Most paper crafters also love school and office supplies. We love crayons, markers, shaped paper clips, notepads, folders and more! If you hoard school and office products, get them out! Use them up! Use at least one item that is really a school or office supply item on your project. Link it up on the Craft Hoarders anonymous blog before midnight on Sunday, September 28th. I’ll be coming by to comment on your lovely projects, and one talented artist will be chosen to win a $30 gift certificate to Lindy’s Stamp Gang!

I can’t wait to see what you create using office and school supplies. You are all so talented, and I’m always amazed to see your take on each challenge. I’ll be popping by for a visit soon! Thanks for stopping by!

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22 thoughts on “Altered File Folder”

100% swoon worthy! I cannot get enough of this color palette, nor of roosters and sunflowers! This is such an amazing project. All those pockets and tags and oh my! You are a super star, my friend! Just amazing work! I wish I could see this one in person!

Can you hear that creaking noise? That’s the sound of my jaw opening and closing every time I look at another picture!! I have no words, at least none that I can spell! This is just spectacular Kathy!! And it started as a file folder, good grief! You are just so talented and this is indeed a work of art!! Have a great weekend! hugs 🙂

KATHY… this is GREAT… I love what you have created here… one opening and I was totally in awe of the whole project… what a piece of love this is… I love the little pockets and all the pretties… I have two of the French country pads… 8×8 and love the papers in them.. .I just might have to make one of these … I love it… and the way you have done it… super fun… I don’t think my machine would sew thru it at all… NO WAY… wow… thanks for taking me off track… I love this… Love, Light and Peace…Bonnie

This is amazing. . .love it inside and out, outside and in!! Love the transformation of an everyday office supply product into a magnificent work of art. . .such detail and love the French country feel! Blessings!

This project simply blows me away Kathy! It is absolutely incredible! I love the flower on the front and all of the warm fall colors/images throughout. I don’t know what else I can say except AMAZING and I love every detail.

Kathy! Talk about upgrading an office supply. This is what manilla file folders imagine in their dreams. So many wonderful details, and my favorite, the beautiful flower with the beaded center. What a great way to further elevate the multi-level paper flower.

I haven’t gotten to play along with anyone in quite a while, but I couldn’t see this work of art without leaving a comment! You are as talented as you are lovely. Thank you.

What a beautiful folder! I love the three little tags and pockets! Who knew a plain and simple file folder could become a thing of beauty? Well, I guess anyone who knows you and your amazing creativity would know! Love your project, Kathy!